Local Edition

May 3, 2026

Magnolia, Mississippi

Community reporting, editorials, columns, and local record

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280 Magnolia St

Magnolia, MS 39652

(601) 783-2441

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Headline

Lead stories and prominent coverage from the current edition.

  • Southwest’s ‘Growling Wood’ Disc Golf Course Open to Public

    After much anticipation, the Southwest Mississippi Community College Growling Wood Disc Golf Course is open and available to the general public. It is located on the front (west) side of campus and stretches as far as...

    Headline News
  • Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Family Medicine Residents

    STATE HEALTH OFFICER AND SOUTHWEST MEDICAL STAFF WELCOME NEW FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENTS--- At the July meeting of the medical staff of Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, the four new Family Medicine...

    Headline
  • Twists & Turns: Oh Dear! Where Are My Glasses!

    A most dreadful thing happened recently, and I am still in recovery mode! I misplaced my glasses! And no, they were not on my head. I checked there first! For those of you good people who do not need such sight...

    Headline
  • South Pike Welcomes Senator Laphonza Butler

    U. S. SENATOR LAPHONZA BUTLER GLAD TO SEE SOUTH PIKE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT PERCY MARTIN--- On May 3rd, California’s U. S. Senator Laphonza Butler visited her hometown of Magnolia. She is shown here at the school...

    Headline
  • Whitney Strong Named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University

    STRONG RECOGNIZED AT MSU--- Whitney Strong, of Mccomb, MS, was recognized as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar during Mississippi State University’s spring 2024 commencement exercises. Strong is one of 113 students who...

    Headline
  • Will Low Voter Turnout Rates Continue in November 5th Presidential Election

    Our best writers follow a script that rarely fails them: They write of territory they know. Carla Heffner-Carlisle’s stories in her latest book, “Another Country,” detail her life’s journey from McComb to a...

    Headline
  • SOUND OFF: Magnolia Farmers Market Pavilion Unusable

    Several weeks ago, the Magnolia Farmers Market Pavilion became unusable and dangerous to the public. Shoddy workmanship and perhaps the lowest bidder have created a situation where a heavy crossbeam has fallen....

    Headline News
  • Will Low Voter Turnout Rates Continue in November 5th Presidential Election

    On the 60th year anniversary of this nation’s most important, courageous and successful drive to enlist more voters, the turnout rate in certain 2024 elections across America has been depressingly disappointing. In...

    Headline
  • The Sunday We Almost Ate Out at Renfrow’s Cafe

    People are just too mobile these days. Folks these days think nothing of driving to Tupelo or Memphis just to eat out. I vividly remember the single occasion when my family decided to “go out to eat” when I was a...

    Headline
  • Congressional Bipartisanship Key to Renewal of Farm Bill

    Like most Americans who didn’t grow up on a production farm or ranch, I didn’t know much until a later age about the term “Farm Bill.” That changed for me upon moving to Leland to operate the local weekly...

    Headline News
  • Dean Clower Named New Southwest Tennis Head Coach

    For the first time in seven years, the Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams at Southwest will be under new leadership. FitlifeSportsplex Tennis Pro Dean Clower takes over for Joyce Mabry, who was the coach since the sport...

    Headline News
  • Twists & Turns: The Importance of Porch Sitting

    Most every new home built in America today comes with a two car garage, 3 to 5 bedrooms and a kitchen that could hold the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But something is missing in their structure. I’ll bet you can guess...

    Headline
  • La Mariposa Mercedes Café closed its doors in Magnolia on Sunday: Treasured Local Institution Moving From its Longtime Location to Summit

    MERCEDES RICKS TOASTING A FULL HOUSE OF FAMILIAR FACES ON CLOSING DAY INSIDE HER ICONIC MAGNOLIA RESTAURANT--- The legendary businesswoman, alderwoman, chef, and bartender toasted the overflow crowd eating at her famous...

    Headline News
  • South Pike JROTC Awards

    SOUTH PIKE JROTC AWARDS--- On May 16, 2024, at the South Pike Awards Program, on behalf of Judith Robinson Chapter, NSDAR, National Defense Chair Melissa Holeman presented the JROTC Bronze Medals to two cadets at South...

    Headline
  • Mississippi’s K-12 Public Schools Making Progress for Better Education

    Mississippi’s K-12 public schools have made verifiable progress in the past decade, none of it more important than stemming a tidal wave of student dropouts. One new report showing the states with the highest dropout...

    Headline
  • South Pike High School Graduating Class of 2024

    SOUTH PIKE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES THE CLASS OF 2024--- On Saturday, May 18, 2024, commencement exercises for the graduation of the class of 2024 was held at Willie Earl Jones Coliseum in Magnolia. The presentation of...

    Headline
  • Starkville, Mississippi Named “The Best Small Town In The South”

    STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, THE SOUTH’S BEST SMALL TOWN--- Starkville, home to Mississippi State University, is so much more than just a small college town. With multiple historic districts, great food all over town, and...

    Headline
  • Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi

    Second-term Gov. Tate Reeves experienced a close call only to emerge victorious once again in the fight over expanding a healthcare program that would have benefited a large group of Mississippi’s low-income and...

    Headline News
  • Osyka Elementary Perfect Attendance

    OES PERFECT ATTENDANCE--- Congratulations to the students of Osyka Elementary School that had perfect attendance during the after school tutoring program this spring. They were presented a certificate and a gift of...

    Headline
  • Three Lady Bear Basketball Players Sign with Four-Year Schools

    After finding great success on the basketball court in Summit and helping to lead Southwest to an MACCC Conference Runners-Up and NJCAA Region 23 Runners-Up finish this past season, three Lady Bear Basketball players...

    Headline News
  • Medicaid Expansion is Governor Reeves’s Early Chance at Redemption

    Jonathan Tate Reeves, you are by all accounts a gentleman and a scholar. You are a graduate of Millsaps College, which prepares you to be both. You’re from high-quality people. I know you consider yourself a...

    Headline Political
  • Twists & Turns: The Five Love Languages

    I bring this book, by Gary Chapman, to your attention because it may be of some help if you are in a relationship with another person. I’m not sure if pets count. These five suggestions are supposed to help your...

    Headline
  • JFC Rural Outreach Mobile Unit Bringing Medical Care To Homeless In McComb

    DONNA RAWLS BIRTHDAY AND RETIREMENT PARTY AT MAGNOLIA CLINIC--- Longtime Magnolia Clinic office manager Donna Rawls recently was celebrated for her birthday and retirement as clinic office manager. Donna has led the...

    Headline
  • Historian Charles Sallis Transformed the Teaching of Mississippi’s Story

    The recent death of retired Millsaps College professor William Charles Sallis silenced a truthful voice in this state’s ongoing struggles over race and how that subject was originally taught to Mississippi’s public...

    Headline